CHI BOARD

Our work in Haiti simply would not exist without the guidance and leadership of our board.

Jill Roeder

Board President

Jill Roeder has a Bachelor's in Cultural Anthropology and has studied toward a Master's in Public Health. She has over 10 years of grant writing and project management experience focusing on community health and development. Originally from Colorado, Jill lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with her husband Kent, son Bennet, and daughter Sage.

Joel Zylstra

Board Member

Joel Zylstra is the Director and Managing Trial Attorney for CNA Insurance in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Joel has been traveling to Haiti since 2009 when he first went on a trip at the urging of his college roommate Josh White. Joel lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota with his wife Amy and son Nick.

Ryan Buresh

Treasurer

Ryan Buresh is a Certified Public Accountant living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he works as a finance manager at a local cable and internet service provider. Ryan is also involved in several non-profits in Cedar Rapids, where he serves as the Treasurer of Kids First Legal and the St. Lukes Hospital Foundation. Ryan heard a lot about Haiti from his brother Chris but was amazed by the impact and scale of CHI's efforts in the communities it serves on his first trip in September 2013. Ryan is married and has two daughters.

Chris Buresh

Co-founder

Chris Buresh is a Board-Certified Physician in Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. He has a Master's in Public Health. He has been traveling to Haiti since 2003. He co-founded CHI in 2009 to address the needs of rural Haitians that otherwise had no access to care. He works in the adult and pediatric emergency department. He lives in Coralville, Iowa, with his wife Ginny and four children, Eve, Charlie, Tess, and Penelope (PJ).

Marcia Rogers

Board Member

Marcia Rogers holds a degree in Occupational Therapy. Immediately after the 2010 earthquake, Marcia led a drive to send food supplies. She also sent medical supplies to help Chris Buresh, Josh White, and their team establish a hospital in Leogane. Marcia received a Presidential Volunteer award for her work in March 2010. Marcia became a nationally certified EMT in January 2015 and participated in medical clinics with CHI in March 2015. Marcia and her husband Dan reside in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and have two sons and one grandson.

Dimy Doresca

Board Member

Dimy Doresca is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and an International Business Specialist and Consultant. He is also Lecturer in International Business, a Global Learning Faculty Lead, and the Director of the Institute for International Business, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa. His professional experience includes international market research, conducting business overseas, risk analysis, strategic planning, business development, operations, contracts administration, negotiations, claim analysis, and international banking. Doresca holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Augustana College and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Josh White

Co-founder

Josh White is a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine physician working in the White River Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. He has an MBA in Health Care. He has been traveling to Haiti since 2004. He co-founded CHI in 2009 when he was frustrated with what he perceived as a failure of other organizations to provide effective aid. He lives with his wife, Kim and children, Corinne and Broder.

Paul Elbing

Board Member

Paul Elbing is a Board-Certified Family Practice Physician with 12 years of experience in Emergency Medicine. He began traveling to Haiti with CHI after his daughter Rachel met Chris Buresh. He loves the Haitian community and is thrilled to be a part of such an amazing organization.